Latest news with #LoveIslandUSA
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How Love Island USA Host Ariana Madix Was ‘Inspired By' UK Host Maya Jama
When Vanderpump Rules alum Ariana Madix announced on the show how much she loved Love Island USA, the stars aligned. Later, Ariana signed on to host Season 6 of the series about sexy singles looking for a connection. Of course, Ariana brought new eyeballs to the Peacock series, and the ratings soared. And it seems like Season 7 of Love Island USA has even more heat and more controversy. Now, Ariana is opening up about why Maya Jama, the host of Love Island UK, caused her to up her game. As a host, Ariana brings some humor and playfulness to her role. So, who did she model her Love Island persona after? 'I'm a big fan of so many of the women who have hosted the show in the different countries, and in the U.S.,' Ariana told Variety. 'I think that no matter what, if you try to do what someone else is doing or has done, it won't work. I wanted to really bring myself to it.' She added, 'So whatever that is – being a little bit more on the sexy side, and trying to bring a level of confidence … if I'm not feeling it in the moment, you fake it until you make it. And of course, humor.' Plus, Ariana wanted to showcase some amazing fashion, and she slays. 'And I knew I really wanted to bring some amazing looks, and that was something that was also inspired by other hosts around the world,' the Pump Rules alum explained. 'Because when Maya Jama is walking into that U.K. villa, she is sex on a stick.' I think that Ariana also deserves a shout-out for reacting to the backlash against some of the Love Island cast members. 'Don't be contacting people's families, don't be doxxing people,' Ariana stated on Aftersun, 'don't be going on islander's pages and saying rude things.' She added, 'This is an amazing, fun, and beautiful show, and we should be thanking each of these islanders every day for giving us themselves, so be nice.' Love Island USA is available to stream on Peacock. New episodes drop every day except Wednesdays. TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ARIANA AS A HOST ON LOVE ISLAND USA? DOES SHE BRING A FRESH VIBE TO THE SHOW? The post How Love Island USA Host Ariana Madix Was 'Inspired By' UK Host Maya Jama appeared first on Reality Tea.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Love Island USA Host Ariana Madix Responds to Viewer Complaints
Season 7 is currently streaming on Peacock, hosted yet again by the ever-stunning . However, Season 7 has found a handful of viewers not well. After seeing a handful of comments online that leaned in this general meh-styled direction, Ariana decided to clock in with a few sentences of her own. The sandwich queen and Love Island USA host has spoken, and this is what she stressed. Our great hair, no cares host Ariana is clapping back at the Love Island USA Season 7 haters for a second time. Earlier this week, she pleaded with fans to keep it kind online. These messy contestants are doing their jobs by entertaining us. Yet, some viewers took things to the next level by contacting family members of these contestants while spewing various over-the-top statements online, which Ariana made sure to note. Now, Ariana is back, disagreeing with a fan online who labeled Love Island Season 7 as 'boring.' On TikTok, Ariana has been promoting this season left and right. She is even replying to various comments on certain posts. Like this one, which read, 'For the love of god, Ariana, do something about this dud of a season.' Shortly after, Ariana replied, 'I love this season.' Then, another comment chimed in, speaking similarly. 'Season is soo [sic] boring. A lot of us aren't watching anymore,' they penned. Once again, Ariana made it known that she disagreed, writing, 'On the edge of my seat every episode. Maybe we watch a different show.' Season 7 has been entertaining, with high ratings to boot. But hey, to each their own. Love Island USA is available to stream on Peacock. TELL US – ARE YOU FINDING THIS SEASON OF LOVE ISLAND BORING? IF SO, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPENING INSTEAD? The post Love Island USA Host Ariana Madix Responds to Viewer Complaints appeared first on Reality Tea.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Love Island USA' Fans Asked For This Coupling Twist — And They Actually Got It
This article includes material from HuffPost's weekly culture and entertainment newsletter, The Culture Catchall. Click here to subscribe. This post contains spoilers for Episode 21 of 'Love Island USA' Season 7. This season of 'Love Island USA' may not have the sweeping romances viewers were hoping for, but it's still delivering top-tier reality TV. Season 7 hit its halfway mark this week with the Casa Amor kickoff — and it wasted no time shaking things up. As a flood of new bombshells arrived, the show pulled off a franchise-first twist that undid every recent coupling and left all the islanders officially single. In other words, everyone got a clean slate to explore brand-new connections — or in one pair's case, revisit an old one. That's right, I'm talking about Nic and Olandria — or as their loyal supporters have dubbed them, 'Nicolandria.' Since early in the season, fans of the duo have been clamoring for them to couple up, despite both being mostly locked down with other islanders (Olandria with Taylor, Nic with Cierra). Flirtatious moments in challenges have hinted at a spark between the two. Still, they never had a real chance to explore a connection until after they were dumped in a jaw-dropping elimination on Tuesday. Unlike past seasons, islanders were forced to pair up during Casa Amor instead of after returning to the villa. And as couplings shuffled around, Nic and Olandria found themselves on the outs. In typical fashion, the two were given 30 minutes to say their goodbyes. But then, 'Love Island USA' flipped the script. After Tuesday's cliffhanger left viewers stunned to see Olandria return in a truck to scoop up Nic, we found out on Thursday that they sped off to a secret candlelit date, where they faced a big decision: stay single and go home, or couple up and head back to the villa. Much to fans' delight, Nic and Olandria chose each other and made a sneaky return to the villa in the middle of the night. The twist shocked viewers, as well as the other islanders, but for longtime 'Nicolandria' supporters, it only confirmed what they suspected all along. RT if you're a Nicolandria stan! 🔁 # — Love Island USA (@loveislandusa) June 27, 2025 they didn't believe in us. they called us delusional. nicolandria hive, we did this! # — sai (@sighidaa) June 27, 2025 everyone called nicolandria stans delusional for weeks just for us to win in the end # — aliyah 🇰🇪 🇵🇸 (@itsaliyahbxtch) June 27, 2025 Bitch, Nicolandria stans are GAGGED LMFAO. — carson. (@playboixcarson) June 27, 2025 Niclandria girlies are visionaries — b²⁹⁷⁷ (@GR8Brittany) June 25, 2025 Nicolandria shippers have single-handedly proved that Strong delusion and faith works even through hardships works # — Anivia💕 (@shesoelegantt) June 27, 2025 Naturally, the new coupling puts Olandria and Nic in a tricky spot with Taylor and Cierra, who happen to be two of their closest friends in the villa. And tensions are bound to rise during Friday's big recoupling, when the rest of the islanders return from Casa Amor and everything comes to light. That said, some fans have accused 'Love Island USA' of leaning too heavily into fan service this season by catering to 'Nicolandria' fans and those who enjoy the manufactured chaos. However, the twist is consistent with how the show has given viewers more control than ever before. Back in week three, fans were allowed to decide which bombshells and islanders should be coupled, for the first time in the franchise's history. The result broke up Jeremiah and Huda, Taylor and Olandria, and Hannah and Charlie, and also led to the latter's elimination. Later, fans influenced another elimination by voting for their favorite islanders, which may not have even happened if this season lived up to the show's title. Given the lack of solid connections among the Season 7 cast, it's no wonder producers are allowing fans to puppeteer the drama more than usual. Unlike last season, which gave us several couples still going strong — Serena and Kordell, JaNa and Kenny, and Leah and Miguel — this batch hasn't delivered the same kind of genuine romance that we can root for. So, in the spirit of making good TV (and keeping the 'Love Island USA' brand strong), I'm all for letting the fans steer the drama a bit. After all, it's our viewership that keeps the show going. Plus, the unpredictability of fan involvement makes the series that much more thrilling to watch. Sure, these are real people genuinely looking for love on what's supposed to be a dreamy summer vacation. But at the end of the day, it's also a dating game show. Audiences have always crowned the winning couple, but to do that this season, we need at least one pair worth rooting for. If that means fans have to stir the pot to help people find the right match, so be it. On this show, if love isn't in the air, drama is the next best thing. Either way it goes, I'll still be tuned into Peacock at 6 p.m. PT sharp every day (except Wednesdays). Subscribe to The Culture Catchall to stay up to date on all things entertainment. Reality TV Show Issues Multiple Warnings To Viewers 'Love Island USA' Has Its First Season 7 Scandal And, Of Course, It Involves Racism 'Love Island USA' Finally Had A Hit Season — And This Is Why
Refinery29
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Why Love Island USA Watch Parties Feel Like A '90s Throwback
An audience of 130 people cheered infectiously at the big screen as they enjoyed cocktails, bar food and conversation with strangers at 275Park in Brooklyn, a venue typically used as a comedy club. This may sound like the scene from fans watching the NBA Finals, but instead, the crowd was locked in for a Love Island USA watch party thrown by Peak and Pace on Monday night as the highly anticipated Casa Amor episodes began. 'It's usually just me screaming at the TV, but doing it with other people just made it,' said Morenda Jebo, 31, who has been watching Love Island for the past three years. 'I'm not the only one who feels this way.' Since Season 7 premiered in early June, Love Island USA has become appointment TV, racking up more than 1 billion minutes viewed. According to Deadline, about 39% of viewers are new to the franchise. Night after night, conversations flood timelines, FYPs, and group chats with real-time reactions and recaps of the drama that ensued in Fiji, where the show is filmed. On social media alone, the show has generated 54 million interactions across Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube. As a result, Love Island watch parties have been in high demand and are popping up in cities across the country. 'It's basically watching sports, but for reality TV,' attendee David Gilstrap said, an attendee who'd never seen the show before last Friday when his homegirls convinced him to start watching all of the reality show drama. He enjoyed it so much that he ended up binging the latest season over the weekend and pulled up to the party alone, ready to watch, holler at the screen with strangers and make new friends. That's music to Peak and Pacer founder Owen Akhibi Herrera's ears. Herrera started Peak and Pace as a run/walk club to bring people together in a healthy way after his first year moving to New York. Over time, it evolved into a community dedicated to trying new things together, including skiing, hiking, and, now, watching Love Island USA together. ' The parties are a great example of how pop culture moments still drive real-world connection. ' 'It's a cultural moment, and it gave us an opportunity to bring our community together in a fun and unexpected way,' the founder said in a Zoom interview. '[The show] sparked so many different conversations online, and we saw the opportunity to take that digital energy into a real-life thing.' Peak and Pace announced the watch party just 24 hours before the event and packed the venue to a max capacity of 130. Herrera said they will host watch parties at 275Park every Monday for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, on Friday evening, Tyra McAdam also hosted a Love Island USA watch party at RumBar, a Black woman-owned bar in Brooklyn, where she works. Tired of watching the show on her phone behind the bar, she surveyed her TikTok followers to see if they'd be interested in joining a watch party. After receiving more than 26,000 views, 2,700 likes and hundreds of eager comments, that was enough for her boss to sign off on approval for McAdam to start creating Love Island -inspired cocktails for the event. ' Love Island is just the catalyst, but what they're really after is that authentic connection that only happens when you're actually in the same room, fully present with each other. ' 'The girls were like, 'I want it to be where the boys are watching sports games watching Love Island,'' she said. 'It's such a community, and it's such a girly thing. It's so feminine.' She credits the show's real-time reactions and the audience's ability to vote and influence what happens in the villa, making it perfect to watch in a sports bar setting. 'I like that it comes on every day, and we all have to watch it at the same time,' McAdam said. 'It's not like on Netflix, and you watch something before someone else. It's almost like back in the days in the '90s, we all had to watch the show at the same time.' On Eventbrite, hundreds of Love Island watch parties have been listed. Roseli Ilano, the platform's head of community and trends, said in a statement the parties are a great example of how pop culture moments still drive real-world connection. "Young people are craving shared experiences where they can have those immediate reactions together—the gasps, the debates, the collective investment in something happening right now,' Ilano said. 'Love Island is just the catalyst, but what they're really after is that authentic connection that only happens when you're actually in the same room, fully present with each other." A common thread between Herrera and McAdam's parties: They're building welcoming, inclusive and intentional spaces that prioritize joy and connection for Black audiences who can come out and have a great time near their own neighborhoods. Though Gilstrap admits the show stresses him out and the cast makes awful decisions, he's having more fun watching Love Island USA than he did watching the NBA Finals. He's already considering attending another watch party before the season ends. 'The fact that you get to hang out with your friends and then talk about it, that's what makes it fun,' he said. 'That's what keeps me watching every night. It's purely not like the content of the show. It's because I get to hang [out] with my friends and kiki with my homies. That's what keeps me coming every single time.'
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The ‘I'm a Mommy' Meme From Love Island USA Season 7 Has a Life of Its Own
Ben Symons/PEACOCK If you are one of the maybe half-dozen people in the United States who is not watching Love Island USA season 7, you may be confused by the 'I'm a mommy' audio and memes currently all over social media. The sound track comes from a conversation on Love Island USA but it has now taken on a life of its own. On TikTok it usually begins with one person lip-synching the words 'I'm a mommy,' and then cuts to a second person who replies, 'Mamacita,' and so on. Elsewhere on the internet, the viral conversation has been repurposed into IYKYK-style comments, usernames, and even branding opportunities. Though the original conversation is already a week old, the 'I'm a mommy' memes have only gotten started. Let us explain in this edition of TL;DR. The audio originates from episode 12 of Love Island USA season 7, in which one Islander, Huda, decides to tell a fellow Islander, Nic, that she's a single mom. The interaction hilariously goes back and forth when Nic fails to understand what Huda means when she says, 'I'm a mommy.' First he seems to think she's joking and responds with 'Mamacita' and then 'Mommy?' Then he asks, 'Mom of what? A dog?' and Huda has to clarify that she is a mommy to a real, 'human child.' There are usually a few absurd moments in every episode of Love Island that catch on with the internet. But this particular conversation hit different. Soon, it was being reposted all over TikTok and quoted on X, before it became the meme it is today. On some platforms, users quote the moment over pictures of their dogs. On others, creators use the audio as a voice-over to recreate the convo with their own friends. One of the earliest popular videos to use the 'I'm a mommy' audio as a meme was actually the official TikTok account for the Empire State Building in New York City. With the text, 'Me to any NYC building built after me,' the video makes it look like the Empire State Building is saying, 'I'm a mommy,' and the other buildings are the ones responding, 'Mamacita.' Then, it became a trend. On X, people started quoting 'mamacita' over pictures of their pets or using it as shorthand to refer to Nic. Even the official Love Island USA account has been getting in on the action. At this point, everyone. Ahead of her special appearance on the show, Megan Thee Stallion and host Ariana Madix recreated the audio meme, with Madix doing Huda's part and Meg doing Nic's responses. Other famous faces to jump on the trend are Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, who posted their own interpretation on June 21. 'Made him do this at dinner in Paris,' Rogers captioned the video. Riverdale actor Lili Reinhart did her own version of the meme, while holding her dog in her lap. On other platforms, even brands started getting in on the action. On Instagram, PetSmart quoted the meme with a picture of a woman and her dog. We're just saying, expect to see more of this content as the Love Island USA season continues. Originally Appeared on Glamour
